Home visits for research purposes – suggested guidelines

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Purpose

The purpose of this document is to provide guidelines to ensure safety as far as reasonably possible with regards to risks associated when conducting research in the home environment. In the vast majority of cases, the homes of study participants will be safe for the participant and researcher. These guidelines have been developed in order to help assure the safety of the researcher while traveling to and throughout visits, taking into account the possibility of situations of risk.

Before you visit the participant

  • When scheduling your visit with the participant, remember that some telephones have call display, which displays the caller’s phone number to the person being telephoned. If not using a work telephone, use the “call blocking” on your telephone by dialing * 67 prior to dialing a telephone number. You should do this for every call you make to a participant from your personal telephone. There is no charge for using * 67.
  • Ask that pets be restrained or kept out of the room during the home visit.
  • Plan your route to the participant’s house; use main routes even if they are not direct and avoid isolated short cuts to the participant’s home. Obtain directions by using Map quest and confirm the directions with the participant.
  • Provide the supervisor with the list of people to be visited and the expected time of return to the office. Provide the surname, address and telephone number of the participants in case the supervisor needs to contact the participant or inform local authorities if he/she does not hear back from you.
  • Ensure your vehicle is in good condition, check your tires on a regular basis and ensure that you have at least a half tank of gas.
  • Be aware of the daily weather and road conditions. Ensure that you have a “survival kit” which includes a CALL POLICE sign, a warm blanket, a candle and matches, food, flashlight, hats and mitts, a small shovel and sand. If necessary, appointments should be rescheduled for another time when conditions are more favorable.
  • If you are lost, telephone the participant for directions and/or go to the nearest service station or store to obtain directions.
  • Dress conservatively. Religious symbols and jewelry should be worn discreetly. Wear a good pair of walking shoes or winter boots. Make sure that you have your cell phone in your pocket in case you need to use it in an emergency. Keep your personal belongings (e.g. your wallet) locked in the trunk of your car and try to take few personal items to the participant’s home.

Upon arrival at the participant’s house or apartment building

  • Park your vehicle on the street in a location from which it is easy to depart.
  • Study the outdoor surroundings and mentally plan an escape route.
  • Do not engage in conversations with people on the street. If someone harasses you, stay calm and say loudly “I do not know, leave me alone”.
  • If an animal is outside the participant’s home and you feel uncomfortable, stay in your vehicle, sound the horn to alert the client. If this fails, call the client from your cell phone to request that the animal be restrained for the visit.
  • Exercise caution in hallways, stairwells and elevators. If you are uncomfortable about any other passengers traveling the elevator, use the excuse “Go ahead, I am waiting for a friend” and do not get into the elevator. Always stand near the control panel with your back to the wall. If you feel uncomfortable, push the button for the next floor or press the alarm. Do not push Stop!
  • If you encounter a hallway emergency, knock on as many doors as possible and yell FIRE. Pull the fire alarm.

Entry into the participant’s house or apartment

  • Make a quick sweep with your eyes to assess for any obstacles and escape routes.
  • Leave your shoes on during the visit. In winter, you may choose to bring a pair of indoor shoes.
  • Do not enter a room first.
  • Keep the client in front of you and try to place something (e.g. brief case) between yourself and the client.
  • Let the client lead the way along corridors and stairs.
  • Choose a seating position where you are closest to the door and have a good view of the other rooms. Listen for anyone coming in from the hallway or outside door.
  • Adopt a defensive seating position. Sit with your strong leg back and the other forward. This will enable you to get off from the seat without using your hands.
  • Try to sit on a firm chair and not on a soft sofa.
  • Try to avoid having the client between you and the door.
  • Be clear to explain the purpose of your visit.
  • Avoid touching the client as it can be interpreted in many ways.

Reasons to leave the participant’s home

  • If upon arrival you feel unsafe and uncomfortable.
  • If the participant is inappropriately dressed and upon your request refuses to dress appropriately.
  • If the participant appears intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.
  • If other individuals pose a threat.
  • If the participant becomes aggressive, threatening or abusive, remain calm during the visit; be supportive and direct, but do not ignore the individual. Leave immediately, always facing the participant. Drive away in your vehicle and inform your supervisor.

After the visit

  • Get into your vehicle and drive away.
  • Do not sit in your vehicle and go over the results of the assessment.
  • You should call and/or email your supervisor or designate upon completion of the home visit to notify him/her that you are safe. The particular plan for notification should be clearly agreed upon between you and your supervisor.

You must read and adhere to the guidelines discussed above and must contact the supervisor if any difficulties are encountered during the home visit. If the supervisor does not hear back either by email or telephone, he/she should try to make contact. The time that the supervisor or designate should expect a telephone call and/or email should be decided between the supervisor and the staff. If the supervisor has not heard back by the negotiated time and is concerned about safety, he/she should contact the participants visited, followed by an emergency contact person (e.g. family member) and finally inform the local police.

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Adapted with permission from the CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research (Modified with permission from the Personal Safety policy, Thames Valley Children’s Centre) and from the WSIB document on Health and Safety in the Home Care Environment.